Editor’s Note: Guest author Sean Healy, a Chicago high school administrator and volunteer teacher in Cook County Jail, shares his story, “Be Many Things.” It’s a long read that will remind you of the many possibilities inherent in human beings of all ages. Be Many Things The Cook County Jail’s maximum security division smells like the bathroom of a…
Enyia and Preckwinkle Slay at Mayoral Forum
If you want to know what happened at the Chicago mayoral candidate forum last night, sponsored by a raft of progressive organizations and held at the Chicago Teachers Union offices, you can read the Tweets and even watch the Facebook Live. But if you want to know how the candidates came across to this taxpayer, homeowner and mom of a…
When Enrollment Is Declining, Let Communities Decide Next Steps for Schools
Urban school systems all over the Northeast and Midwest are facing declining enrollment and struggle with the challenge of downsizing without shortchanging students’ education. Unfortunately, Chicago is a leader in the problem, but new thinking on the role of neighborhoods could propel the city to become a leader in solutions. Enrollment in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has been sliding…
A Principal-Dad Makes Time for STEM With His Daughters
Over the past summer, I was fortunate to have an opportunity to spend more time than usual with my young twin daughters, who were eager to do some STEM challenges with their father. Yоung mіndѕ are naturally сurіоuѕ аbоut thе wоrld and lоvе tо lеаrn thrоugh сlаѕѕrооm activities аnd іn thе оutdооrѕ. Aсtіvіtіеѕ ѕuсh аѕ еxреrіmеntѕ, building, collecting аnd discovering…
Future Kindergarten Parents, Get Your Child’s CPS ID Now!
Attention next year’s kindergarten parents: if you’re applying to CPS schools beyond your neighborhood, you must request an ID for your child with this form. Forms are due December 2. If you miss the deadline, you’ll need a paper form to complete your GoCPS application. Because the wheels of central office grind slowly, they need two weeks to get you…
It’s Hard to Leave the School You Love, But Sometimes It’s Necessary
I’m a parent and a person who watches schools for a living. This guarantees I’m a fussy school-shopper. In kindergarten, we tried three schools in five months before settling down at dual-language Namaste Charter School. I thought Antonia had found a home to last. Unfortunately, I was wrong. After starting the year at Namaste, with Halloween and Dia de los…
At Tarkington Elementary, Kids Do Science Right
At Tarkington Elementary on the Southwest Side, kids are talking science and doing science. Sadly, that’s news. As a mom, I can say my own 4th-grade daughter hasn’t done enough real science in her elementary school years. And study after study shows she’s not alone. What’s different at Tarkington? Teachers, supported by their principal, have made science a priority. They…
In Open Letter to CPS, Ogden Parents Call for Beyer’s Return as Principal
Editor’s Note: On Monday night, Ogden International parents met with CPS officials to discuss the removal of Principal Michael Beyer. Many declared support for his reinstatement. This open letter outlines their arguments in favor of his retention. Last Thursday, parents at Chicago’s Ogden International School received a letter informing us that Dr. Michael Beyer had been removed from his position…